By Jennifer McAteer
New Strider Karen Collins was the sole Strider on her club debut at Ballymena Belles 5 mile on Tuesday. A female only race, Karen crossed the line in 42:53.
Hill and Dale season kicked off on Thursday with the first race of the series taking place in Castlewellan. Norman Mawhinney was the sole Strider at this 8.5km run which took in the lake and hills of the park. Norman finished in 43:16 with yet another M65 win.
On Friday, outgoing captains Andy Haylett and Judith Boyd held the Captains Race at Stormont. The junior race was up first, a 3k race across some mixed terrain incorporating part of the parkrun route, which saw Luke Braniff first across the line in 12:24, ahead of Hamish Orr-Stewart in 13:12 and Willow Farrington in 13:30.
In the senior race, a 5.5k route covering the same part as the juniors and another lap of the parkrun route, Gareth Davies was the winner finishing in 20:36, with Matthew Halus in second with 21:06 and Colin Harper in third with 21:23. Jenny Taylor was the first female to cross the line finishing in 24:39, second female Alison Busby (25:34). Emma Stewart finished third female in 26:48.
The Larne 10-mile race was a popular destination for many Striders on Saturday.
The first Strider home was Norman Mawhinney in 1:06:58, followed not far behind by Matt Bell in 1:08:00. Graeme McGowan was next home for the Striders with a new PB of 1:09:38. Jonathan Winter continuing his return after a layoff was home in 1:19:47.
The first female Strider across the line was Maxine Dynes in 1:25:59 and Fiona McAvoy came in in 1:28:56. Dee Patterson was next across the line with a PB of 1:30:16, closely followed by Kathryn Chesney also getting a PB of 1:30:48. More PBs followed for Karen Farrelly in 1:37:31 and Jenna Lavery in 1:40:37, a 12 minute PB for her.
At the Mane Event, a 5k at Belfast Zoo, the first Strider across the line was Norman Mawhinney who was completing his fourth event in as many days, in 20:37. Matthew Halus was next to finish in 23:55 while Darren Johnston crossed the line in 29:07. Gordie McEwan was next to finish in 30:40, closely followed by Jonathan Keenan in 30:55.. Ashlyn Allen and Zara Johnston finished together in 38:49, Karen Thompson finished in 42:30 and Elaine Johnston crossed the line in 46:46.
With the beginning of April bringing the beginning of marathon season, Manchester was the destination for four Striders this week. Dave Stevenson was the first of the Striders across the line with a strong run of 3:16:43. Following on from her first place at the Captains Race on Friday, Jenny Taylor finished with a new PB of 3:47:29 while Alison Busby also followed up her podium from Friday with a new PB of 3:51:08. Gavin McDonnell completed the Striders contingent in Manchester finishing in 6:11:43.
Comber parkrun was the popular destination this week as Striders turned out in force for Karen Clarke’s 100th parkrun which she completed in 31:13. Matthew Halus came third (19:33), Sarah Luce McCready (27:38) and Cheryl Alexander (31:18) got course PBs and Rachel Brown ran 35:13 (PB) for her 10th parkrun.
Elsewhere Michael Burgess maintained Regionnaire status running the new Montalto Estate parkrun in 23:50 with Cheryl Macartney (44:52). Jonathan Keenan touristed at Derry City (24:40) and there were also great runs at Stormont, Bangor, Crawfordsburn and Knockbracken parkruns.
Scrabo Striders Run the Runways on May 10, with 10k, 5k and 2k options (under 16s only) is now open for entry, a flat route with PB potential. Also open for entry is the popular, challenging Ards Half Marathon and walk on 28 June. For more information on both races visit scrabostriders.com or search Scrabo Striders on Facebook.
